INDIANAPOLIS -- While Indianapolis' high homicide rate is alarming to police and city leaders, there's also cause for hope as certain neighborhoods are showing a marked reduction in violence.
Eighty six people have been killed in Indianapolis so far this year, with nine of those coming in the past seven days.
TIMELINE | 9 people killed in a week in Indianapolis
Ten Point Coalition leader Rev. Charles Harrison said he's worried this could be the status quo now.
"This could be the new normal, and we hope it's not going to be the new normal and that's why we have to be proactive," Harrison said.
Harrison's organization works to put volunteer boots on the ground to build relationships with those in historically high-crime areas.
Ten Point leaders say they've facilitated more than 20 people finding jobs this summer. They also say the areas they patrol – Butler-Tarkington, Crown Hill and the United Northwest – have not seen a youth homicide in nine months.
IMPD says they've noticed the group's effect.
"They've helped us bring that violence down just by connecting to the people and giving us information about who is doing the violence," said IMPD Lt. Don Weilhamer.
Now, with violent crime on the rise across the city, other neighborhoods want Ten Point's help. The faith-based group is 28 people strong. Harrison says they need more money and resources before they can expand.
MAP | See where homicides have happened in Indianapolis this year
"We would like to be in other areas," he said. "We'll certainly make another appeal to the city, and also the philanthropic community and then residents."
In the past, Ten Point had a contract with the city to provide a stipend to its volunteers for gas money. Part of their expansion plan includes trying to get that contract renewed.
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